Lazarus rises to Samuel French

Publishing house names new executive director

Play publishing house Samuel French Inc. has tapped Bruce Lazarus to serve as the company’s new exec director.

Lazarus has had a long career as a legiter. As an entertainment lawyer, he repped artists and producers for shows including Blue Man Group, and he also had a stint as the director of business and legal affairs at Disney Theatrical Prods., where he worked on shows including “The Lion King” and “Beauty and Beast.” He’s also done some stage producing, with credits including the 2003 Broadway production of “Say Goodnight Grace” and the 1998 Off Broadway outing “Shakespeare’s R&J.”

At Samuel French, he’ll oversee company strategy, marketing and business affairs, working with prexy Nate Collins.

Samuel French is one of a handful of major publishers of licensed plays. Last year the org ventured into electronic publishing with an ebook sales program.

With a catalogue of some 10,000 titles, Samuel French has offices in Gotham, L.A. and London as well as a retail store in Hollywood.